The Foundations of Democracy

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The Foundations of Democracy

1. Ancient Greece
2. Ancient Rome

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A. Ancient Greece
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• The birthplace of democracy is in Athens
• Athens used to have a monarchy
• Then it became an aristocracy
• Then, when the citizens governed or ruled
  themselves, it became a democracy

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• Democracy developed because of three Athenian
  rulers Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles.
• They allowed citizens to vote and Athens
  developed into a direct democracy.
• However, not everyone was considered a citizen

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• They also separated the government into three
  branches (legislative, executive, and judicial).

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• Democracy ended when Macedonia (country to the
  North) invaded Greece in 338 B.C.
• Alexander the Great then ruled Greece

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• Philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
  continued the development of democracy through
  their writings
• Natural Laws laws of nature that explained how
  people desired self-rule

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• Socrates 1st great Greek philosopher to voice
  his beliefs in democracy.
• Believed in a meritocracy where those with
  exceptional ability (really smart) and moral
  character should be leaders.

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• Plato wrote The Republic.
• Believed a state should be ruled by the wisest
  not the richest to save the people from evil.
• They would be called philosopher-kings.

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• Aristotle wrote Politics.
• Believed men had a desire and need to live in a
  governed society.

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• Greeces Legacy to Democracy
• Direct Democracy
• Three Branches of Government
• Natural Laws

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B. Ancient Rome

• Rome discovered democracy through contact (war)
  with the Greeks

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• Established a Republic in 509 B.C.
• Divided government into three separate branches

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• Legislative branch made up of the
• Senate which controlled foreign and financial
  affairs
• The two assemblies

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• Created the Twelve Tables
• A written law code that applied to EVERYONE.
• Romans believed citizens had the right to equal
  treatment under the law.

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• Romes Legacy to Democracy
• Idea of a republic
• legal and political terms used today
• A government of laws, not of men